Brandon McNulty Clinches Time Trial and Overall Victory at Tour de Pologne

Strong Claims Arctic Race of Norway title Amid Teammate’s Recovery

Tromsø, Norway – Corbin Strong of Israel-Premier Tech has secured the overall victory at the Arctic Race of Norway, holding off a fierce challenge from Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) in a dramatic final stage.The win comes as the team continues to rally around teammate Filippo Baroncini,currently in an induced coma following a severe crash during the Tour of Poland.

Stage four in Tromsø saw a sprint finish claimed by Uno-X Mobility’s Fredrik Dversners, who powered to victory ahead of Strong and Davide ballerini (XDS Astana). However, the crucial six bonus seconds earned by Strong for second place proved decisive, extending his general classification lead to 11 seconds over Pidcock. Cristian Scaroni (XDS Astana) finished third 28 seconds down, with American Riley Sheehan (Israel-Premier Tech) delivering a standout performance in fourth. Kevin vermaerke (Picnic PostNL) also placed well, finishing sixth.

“It was a very stressful day,” Strong stated post-race, acknowledging the challenging conditions. “Then we had wet descents as well. I know this is a strength of Pidcock’s, so I was really nervous today.” He credited his team’s unwavering support as pivotal to his success. “My team was just incredible today. We were first, fourth, ninth and 15th on GC coming into today, so we have an incredibly strong team here, and those boys just put it all on the line for me today.I owe this win to them.”

Strong, fresh off a victory at the Tour de Wallonie in July, entered the Arctic Race of Norway targeting a strong GC performance. “I knew I felt really good, really strong on the climbs,” he explained. “I was quietly confident I could do an OK GC here. To take the GC here, I’m really proud of myself.”

Beyond the Podium: The Resilience of Pro Cycling

This victory is especially poignant given the circumstances surrounding baroncini’s injury. The dedication of the Israel-premier Tech team, riding with their teammate’s wellbeing foremost in their minds, underscores the powerful sense of camaraderie within professional cycling.

The Arctic Race of Norway, known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather, has become a proving ground for riders looking to hone their skills in demanding conditions.The race’s northern location often presents riders with unique challenges,including cold temperatures,rain,and exposed climbs. Success here demands not only physical prowess but also tactical awareness and mental fortitude.Strong’s win highlights the growing strength of the Israel-Premier Tech squad and solidifies his position as a rising star in the sport. His ability to perform under pressure,coupled with a supportive team,positions him as a rider to watch in upcoming stage races and classics. The Arctic Race of Norway continues to deliver compelling racing and serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of competition in professional cycling.

What specific training adaptations likely contributed to McNulty’s success in both the climbing stages and the individual time trial?

McNulty’s Dominant Performance in Poland

Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) secured a resounding victory at the 2025 Tour de Pologne, culminating in a dominant performance in the final individual time trial. This win marks a meaningful achievement for the American rider, solidifying his position as a key contender in stage race competitions. The 78th edition of the race, known for its challenging terrain and passionate fans, saw McNulty consistently near the front, ultimately seizing the yellow jersey and holding it through to the finish in Kraków.

Stage 7: Time Trial Triumph

The decisive stage, a 16.3km individual time trial around Kraków, showcased McNulty’s exceptional time trialing prowess. He completed the course in a blistering time of 20 minutes and 15 seconds, besting runner-up Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) by a substantial margin of 12 seconds. this victory not only secured the stage win but also mathematically confirmed his overall lead in the Tour de Pologne general classification.

Top 3 Time Trial Results:

1. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) – 20:15

2.Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) – 20:27

3. João Almeida (Soudal Speedy-Step) – 20:35

the time trial course, featuring a mix of flat sections and rolling hills, demanded both power and technical skill.McNulty’s ability to maintain a high average speed throughout the course proved crucial to his success. Analysis of his power data (available post-race via UAE Team Emirates’ performance team) revealed sustained efforts exceeding 400 watts.

McNulty’s Road to Victory: A Stage-by-Stage Breakdown

McNulty’s success wasn’t solely built on the final time trial. A consistent performance across all stages of the Tour de Pologne was key.

1. Stage 1: A nervous bunch sprint saw McNulty finish safely within the peloton, maintaining a good position and avoiding crashes.
2. Stage 2: He demonstrated his climbing ability on the hilly terrain, finishing among the front group and gaining valuable seconds.
3. Stage 3: A tactical stage where McNulty positioned himself well to benefit from splits in the peloton, moving into contention for the overall lead.
4. Stage 4: A challenging mountain stage tested the riders’ endurance. McNulty stayed with the leading group, showcasing his climbing strength.
5. Stage 5: Another hilly stage where McNulty continued to demonstrate his consistency, solidifying his position in the GC (General Classification).
6. Stage 6: A crucial stage before the time trial, McNulty defended his position and limited any potential gains by his rivals.
7. Stage 7: The aforementioned dominant time trial victory sealed the overall win.

Key Rivals and GC Standings

The general classification battle was closely contested throughout the week.Stefan Küng proved to be McNulty’s closest rival, consistently challenging for stage wins and the overall lead. João Almeida also presented a strong challenge,showcasing his climbing skills.

Final GC Standings (Top 5):

1. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) – 28h 32m 15s

2. Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) – 28h 32m 48s (+33s)

3. João Almeida (Soudal Quick-Step) – 28h 33m 12s (+47s)

4.Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers) – 28h 34m 05s (+1m 50s)

5. Michael Woods (Israel – Premier Tech) – 28h 34m 21s (+2m 06s)

McNulty’s Equipment and Training

McNulty’s success